Meet the Runoff Mayoral Candidate: Barbara Drummond

Last Updated: August 27, 2025By

The Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Mayoral Runoff Election Guide is a nonpartisan resource designed to help voters prepare for the upcoming September 23 mayoral runoff election. This guide focuses on the mayoral race that will shape the future of Mobile.

These local leaders play a critical role in shaping policies that affect economic growth, infrastructure, public safety and quality of life. The Chamber’s goal is to ensure voters are informed about candidates committed to supporting job creation, workforce development and a strong, pro-business climate.

The Mobile Chamber does not endorse any specific candidate but is dedicated to equipping our community with valuable resources to stay well informed about the candidates on the ballot. We earnestly encourage you to exercise your right to vote. Your participation is crucial in shaping the future of our community and ensuring a vibrant and representative democracy.

Meet the Runoff Mayoral Candidates:

Spiro Cheriogotis | Barbara Drummond

The responses from the mayoral candidate are printed in their entirety and have not been edited.

Candidate’s Full Name

Rep. Barbara Drummond

Campaign Website/Social Media:

Drummondformayor.com

Instagram: @drummondformayor

X:@drummond4mayor

Drummond4mayor

Current Occupation:

State Legislator

Previous Public Offices Held (if any):

State Legislator

Why are you running for Mayor of Mobile? What are your top three priorities if elected?

I feel my experience in county, city and now state government has positioned me to gain the knowledge and relationships to take Mobile to the next level. For years, I was behind the scene helping to recruit such industries as Airbus, Austal and the old Thyssenkaup Steel plant. That skill set allowed me to win the House District 103 legislative seat, which has given me the ability to advocate for Mobile issues and projects, most notably, the International Municipal Airport that is under construction and our world class Port of Alabama. It is extremely exciting and fulfilling to see seeds that were planted with commitment and passion for your city’s growth come full circle. I deeply value the economic environment that Mobile has cultivated and take pride in the role I have played in Mobile’s economic development. When elected mayor, I will continue to work to move the city forward by improving our educational system, revitalizing neighborhoods, and embracing and promoting our historic character.

If elected, my top three priorities will include:

1. Continue building a viable economic environment.

2. Transform Mobile’s lifestyle and culture by investing in families through healthier neighborhoods, reducing crime, and creating safe, enriching spaces for our youth. Mobile needs to expand recreational opportunities for our youth and foster environments that support their growth and development. I will support small business development, especially for the next generation by offering meaningful incentives. By shifting the way we live and engage in our city, we can build safer communities through community-centered policing and strengthen the value and trust placed in law enforcement.

3. Use Mobile’s incredible historic character to create a robust tourism market. Mobile is truly a melting pot with historic beauty influenced by the French, Spanish, British and by Africans who settled in Plateau, known as Africatown. It’s time we capitalize on our uniqueness.

What is your long-term vision for Mobile’s economic growth and how will you work with the Chamber and private sector to achieve it?

It took Mobile decades to realize that its strength and success lies in our collective ability to regionalize its approach to economic development. I will continue this collaborative approach, partnering with the Chamber of Commerce, County, and State to maximize all our federal funding opportunities – all while partnering with the private sector and creating a business-friendly environment.

How will you support economic development initiatives that attract and retain businesses in Mobile?

I will continue to support providing incentives to attract businesses, and to encourage businesses to expand, as well as create public infrastructure to enhance Mobile’s business-friendly environment. In addition, I will work hard to create business friendly, safe zoning and land use permitting procedures.

What is your strategy for supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship, particularly those owned by women, veterans, and minorities?

With the economic growth in Mobile, my vision is to create a robust economic environment for small businesses. This is near and dear to my heart because I truly feel small businesses are the heartbeat of a community and should reflect the makeup of the community. I would incentivize small businesses by providing grants and loans to create capital, streamline the city permitting process, conduct workshops on how to do business with the city, and offer mentoring opportunities.

How do you propose to streamline or improve permitting, licensing, and other city processes that affect business operations?

First, I would critically assess the current permitting process, then create a business advisory panel to help evaluate the process. It is my desire to use this panel’s knowledge and experience to eliminate bureaucratic barriers in the current system. Using technological advances, government and business knowledge, I feel we can create a new, more efficient system.

What role should the Mayor’s office play in working with major industry sectors such as aerospace, maritime, manufacturing, logistics, and technology?

The mayor’s office should work closely with these sectors to see that their needs are met within reason, and to encourage them to remain and expand their operations in Mobile to create bigger and better job opportunities. The mayor’s office must see the big picture and importance of a vibrant economy.

How will your administration support workforce development and ensure Mobile’s talent pipeline meets the needs of employers?

I will work with K-12 schools and two-year colleges to create industry-related Dual Enrollment Programs. I will also develop business and industry panels and meet with them periodically to obtain their input on workforce development needs in the Mobile area.

How do you plan to collaborate with K-12 education, community colleges and universities to align education with business needs?

I would like to see Mobile build at least three comprehensive workforce development academies, similar to Baldwin Prep, for students in the Mobile County Public School System, ACCEL and other charter schools. In the academies, students will be trained on different skill sets to create a pipeline for the workforce in Mobile and surrounding communities.

Infrastructure improvement is critical for business growth. What are your top 3 infrastructure priorities for Mobile, and how do they support economic development?

1. I-10 Bridge – The bridge is a vital economic artery for commerce. Currently, businesses are losing money because of horrible traffic delays on the Bayway. Traffic jams on the Bayway are also a major inconvenience and safety hazard for individuals and families.

2. A comprehensive storm water collection system – The system will help Mobile alleviate the horrible flooding on such arteries as Government Street, Michigan Avenue and many other streets in the city.

3. Continue to develop the aerospace footprint in Brookley Industrial Park. This footprint is vital to Mobile’s future economic growth.

Downtown Mobile is experiencing unprecedented momentum with transformative projects underway including the new Mobile Arena, Walk of Fame plaza, the Amtrak downtown station, the  I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project and the River Walk Plaza and Hotel. How would you build upon this momentum, and what is your vision for leveraging these investments to create a thriving downtown ecosystem that benefits the entire city?

My vision is to continue the progress and build upon it by incentivizing more developments using Historic Tax Credits and other economic measures. These projects are an integral part of the vision to refocus, rebrand and recreate Mobile’s culture.

What is your position on the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project, and how will you work to ensure it moves forward efficiently?

I wholeheartedly support and will do all I can to work with partners (city, county, state and federal) to ensure these projects become a reality. Our city and region’s future success is dependent upon them.

Three Mile Creek, Brookley by the Bay, and a new performing arts theater represent significant opportunities to enhance Mobile’s quality of life and economic development. As mayor, would you prioritize these initiatives, and what specific actions would you take to ensure their integration into Mobile’s broader growth strategy?

Yes. My broader strategy would include stimulating affordable housing, recreational amenities, such as biking and walking trials, and small eateries in these areas to create a unique lifestyle change that will attract families to these areas of the city.

Small businesses represent the backbone of our economy. What specific policies would you implement to support small business formation and growth in Mobile?

Small businesses are the soul of our city. After a careful review of the city’s budget, I would like to expand entrepreneurship and apprenticeship programs. Through a comprehensive marketing plan, I will encourage citizens to buy local products and services. It is also important for the city to advocate for state and federal grants and incentives to help give small businesses a sound financial foundation.

What is your approach to new and affordable housing in Mobile, and will you support policies that encourage diverse housing options to meet the needs of the workforce and growing population?

First, I would launch a comprehensive master plan for affordable housing. The plan would include looking at blighted areas for potential housing stock. Citizens would have a voice in the process. A master plan will also afford Mobile an opportunity to keep neighborhoods’ character intact, and continue to give lifelong residents an opportunity to value the community again. Yes, I favor diverse housing options.

How will your administration improve public safety and how do you see its connection to economic growth and talent retention?

Once I assess the city’s budget, I will improve public safety by creating an educational initiative to start a pipeline of young people to pursue public safety jobs. In an effort to address our crime rate, we must first be honest and transparent about the problem. We need an aggressive recruitment plan to hire more firefighters and police officers. If the budget allows, a robust benefits package should be offered to maintain talent in Mobile’s Police and Fire departments.

What specific strategies will you implement to enhance Mobile’s quality of life to attract businesses, workers and visitors?

Please see some the previous answers.

1. Market our historic beauty.

2. Create a business friendly environment.

3. Promote our history nationally and internationally to create a more robust local tourism industry.

4. Give workers a city they would be proud to live in – safe, clean and a wider range of recreational activities.

What steps will you take to ensure transparency, efficiency and accountability in city government operations?

1. Create a citizens’ advisory committee to review and recommend changes to improve the process of obtaining licenses and permits. This should be a simple process that makes it easier to do business in Mobile.

2. To ensure transparency, facilitate town hall meetings throughout the city;

3. Create user friendly technology portals that the public can find;

4. Train city staffers to be more responsive and transparent.

How will you promote collaboration between the City of Mobile and surrounding municipalities, counties and regional organizations?

I will promote that collaboration by being actively involved.

How do you plan to maintain an open line of communication and cooperation with the Mobile Chamber and the broader business community?

1. By having an open door policy;

2. By holding regular meetings; and

3. By being a business advocate.

If elected, will you commit to regular dialogue with business leaders and to participating in Chamber-led initiatives and advocacy efforts?

Yes!

Looking ahead 10 years, what do you envision as Mobile’s signature industries and economic drivers, and what steps wold you take to position the city for success in these areas?

Once improvement projects that are under way are completed, I envision a bustling Port of Alabama that will place Mobile ahead of ports like Houston. This will create all types of business opportunities in Mobile. I would continue the positive push for enhancements for the Port to propel our city to even greater heights.

Is there anything else you would like Mobile’s business community to know about your candidacy or leadership philosophy?

I am hard worker who is committed to Mobile’s growth. It is my desire to see Mobile reach its fullest potential, all while building neighborhoods that are safer and stronger. We can reach our rightful destiny together when Mobile’s vast opportunities are afforded to all citizens.

Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Runoff Election Guide: Mayoral Race

The Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Runoff Election Guide is a nonpartisan resource designed to help voters prepare for the upcoming September 23 municipal election. This guide focuses exclusively on the mayoral race that will shape the future of Mobile.

View the Mobile Chamber’s 2025 Runoff Election Guide.

Click the name of the mayoral candidate to learn about their positions and priorities:

Spiro Cheriogotis | Barbara Drummond

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